Okay, I really wish I can wear one of these... maybe one day? LOL I wanted to try and design one and I have a few friends with girls. So, I came up with a simple pattern.
I was not entirely happy with how these turned out so I need to work on the details of what didn't work this time around.
I used a sizing chart for the girls ages and it seemed to fit them nicely. Two of my boys were about the same size as the girls. I couldn't wait so I tried it on one of them HA-HA
When I finally got it on the girls, I was so excited (probably more excited than them!).
I work with a lot of crochet hats and chunky yarn is not my first choice but I do love chunky scarfs, cowls and blankets! Now, if i'm knitting, my go-to yarn is super bulky or bigger! Funny how that works out! One of my favorite stitches is the star stitch. It's so pretty. I've made a Crochet iPhone Bag using this stitch and I absolutely adore it! When I first learned the star stitch, I remember it was so difficult and I was having so much trouble. Now that I'm more seasoned, it's not all that bad. I chose to use 3 different colors for this cowl. I originally wanted to use a darker grey but I decided to go with a lighter shade and I'm so glad I did although I don't think the darker color would have looked bad!
To purchase the pattern or completed cowl, please visit me ion etsy: Handmade by Phanessa
Star Stitch: This stitch is made by inserting your hook into 6 different stitches and leaving the yarn on hook for a total of 6 loops on hook. Then you yarn over and pull through all 6 loops on hook. chain 1 to secure. See instructions below. You'll need to chain an even number of stitches + 1 more. For this cowl, I chained 43 (42 + 1 more). It was 10.5" across and 8.5" tall.
I've been teaching crochet at work and although my attendees have dwindled down, I still have a few interested people. I will be helping with a newborn beanie. The yarn that was chosen was bulky and the hook size recommended was 8mm. This is my go-to chart when I'm sizing my work. It's not always perfect because everyone's tension is difference and it all depends on the stitches you use as well. It's a starting point for me and it usually comes out close to it. You can adjust size by changing the size yarn, hook or fixing your tension (which is harder to do). I have had a huge problem finding the source for this image. It has been used on everyone's blog. I have this saved on my phone.
Supplies:
Bulky Yarn - Bernat Softee Chunky
8mm Hook
Yarn Needle
Scissors
Tape Measure
Abbreviations:
ch - Chain
sc - Single Crochet
dc - Double Crochet
sl st - Slip Stitch
Pattern Notes:
The chain 2 does not count as a double crochet throughout pattern.
Pattern:
Round 1: Two Options for staring the hat - Chaining and Magic Ring (refer to the video for instructions)
Starting with chaining: ch 4, sl st to first chain forming a ring. ch 2, 12 dc into the ring, sl st to top of first dc (12 stitches)
Starting with a magic ring: With the magic ring, ch 2 and then do 12 dc into the ring, sl st to the top of the first dc (12 stitches)
Round 2 (increase round): ch 2, 2 dc into each stitch all the way around. sl st to the top of the beginning dc. (24 stitches).
My hat measured 4.25 inches which is where I want to stop increasing (see chart)
Round 3-5: ch 2, 1 dc into each stitch all the way around. sl st to the top of the beginning dc. (24 stitches)
At this point my hat measure 4.25 inches but I wanted to add 2 rounds of single crochet for a nicer edge.
Round 6-7: ch1 (does not count as a sc). 1 sc into each stitch all the way around. sl st into the top of the first sc. (24 stitches) Fasten off and weave in all ends. You can add buttons or flowers, etc. Whatever you'd like!
When I first saw ChiWei post her granny square top, I knew that I was going to make one! I loved how it looked on her (I was aware things always look bad on me!) haha but that wasn't going to stop me from making one! I knew that the granny square stitch was easy to work with and works up pretty quickly.
ChiWei recommended a cotton yarn since hers was wool and I can't wear wool :( At least not for long periods of time! I went into my yarn stash and decided to check to see if I had enough of one color worsted weight yarn. The Caron Simply Soft is a little lighter than most worsted weight yarn so I decided to try that. I had 4 or 5 skeins of the Taupe color (I have no idea why I had so many but I was glad I did!).
The granny square portion of the Granny Squared Crochet Top was easy since I already knew how to work that part of it. It was done a little differently than the way I do my granny squares which usually ends and begins at a corner. Hers ended and started in the middle of one side of the square. Since I didn't want to screw up by doing my own thing, I just followed her pattern.
When I got to the waffle stitch part, the pattern wasn't right for my piece. I have never done a waffle stitch before so I looked on YouTube and found several tutorials. I realized that the stitches weren't matching up on my piece. I don't know if it's because we didn't end up with the same rows of granny square stitches or if I screwed up somewhere along the way. I continued the pattern on my own completing the stitches so that the waffle stitches come out right.
When I sewed the sides together, I was pretty nervous since I hate seaming things together! It ended up being too short! Luckily, I was able to add more waffle stitches since I haven't seamed the shoulders. My other thought was to add some double crochets at the bottom to match the sleeves but I went with extended the waffle stitches.
I modeled the top and took photos using a tripod. I tried wearing an orange top under and it didn't look right.
Then I switched to black since ChiWei said it looked better in darker colors. As I finished, I realized that I had the top inside out! hahaha That's soooo me! I took glasses off and although my iPhone was attached to the camera so that I can see myself with the camera feature on my phone, I couldn't see clearly!
If I only knew while smiling silly for the camera! You can see that the waffle stitches does not look right!
Luckily I noticed before I was done and flipped it and took more photos!
My jeans are getting too big... which is a good thing because I have lost 12 pounds!
I have been in love with this stitch ever since I made the Crochet Slouchy Hat. I knew that this would look awesome as a blanket. I started on a blanket but I have so many WIPs that I took it apart and decided to make a cowl instead. Bigger projects discourage me because they take too long to make and I would have to run to the store for more yarn. This was the start of my blanket yesterday.
Last night I ripped it apart and made a cowl instead. I hate seaming things so naturally, I like working in the round.
The cowl has a circumference of 24" and 7 inches tall. I would have gone higher but I planned to use only one skein of yarn and that was as tall as I could get at 9 rounds. The video tutorial is at the bottom of this post.
Please enjoy this free pattern but do not copy or sell pattern as your own. You may sell the finished product but please link back to this blog.
Please contact me in my Handmade by Phanessa shop if you would like to purchase the finished cowl.
Supplies:
Super Bulky - I used Lion Brand's Wool-Ease Thick and Quick in Oatmeal
10mm Hook
Yarn Needle
Scissors
Abbreviations:
ch - Chain
sl st - Slip Stitch
Crochet cluster: Single Crochet + Double Crochet Cluster
In the same stitch, combine a single crochet and a double crochet cluster (*yarn over, insert hook into same stitch, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through 2 loops. Repeat from star one more time. Yarn over pull through 3 loops on hook.):
Chain an even number of stitches. The pattern below is for the size I made.
Foundation: ch 42, join the chains by doing a slip stitch to the beginning careful not to twist your work.
Round 1: ch 1 *skip a stitch, crochet cluster in the next. Repeat from * all the way around. sl st to the top of the beginning crochet cluster. ch1 and turn.
Round 2-9: *skip a stitch, crochet cluster in the next. Repeat from * all the way around. sl st to the top of the beginning crochet cluster. ch1 and turn.
You may continue higher if desired.
Cut yarn leaving long tail. Fasten off and weave in all ends.
This cowl is so simple and so beautiful!
Here is my first video tutorial!!! Click here to access YouTube.
